Expandable tray device

ABSTRACT

An expandable tray device. The device is a portable working and eating surface. The device includes an expandable planar surface for eating, working and the like. The device further includes foldable leg portions. The device grips a user&#39;s legs while in use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Working, playing or eating activities often require a flat surface.Particularly when a child is drawing, eating, or doing some otheractivity that requires a flat working surface, it is often difficult toprovide such a surface when away from a large household table. It iseven more difficult to provide such a surface when away from the home,such as in an automobile. Moreover, the working or eating surface mustnot only be supportive enough to handle rigorous activities, it mustalso be stable and adaptable to both the environment and the person orchild using the surface. If the surface is used by a child, there is afurther requirement for stability that is not as critical when beingused by an adult, although greater stability is always helpful for aportable eating or working surface regardless of the user.

Whether it is watching television, having a meal outside, drawing, oreating in a location that is not equipped with a dinner table, such asthe inside of an automobile, there is a need to have a portable anduseable working surface and/or table. There is a further need to have aportable table that is sturdy and adaptable for different uses bydifferent sized users. The portable tables in use today have a tendencyto be unstable and are often susceptible to being knocked over.

There is the further problem of having a table or working surface thatis adjustable to both the task being accomplished as well as theindividual using the table. One possible solution to the problem ofhaving a portable, yet stable, working or eating surface involvesutilizing an expandable table or work surface.

While expandable tables are not novel, expandable tables that areportable and create inherent stability when utilized outside of the homeare not known in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 137,516 issued to Wales on Apr.1, 1873 teaches an expandable table with the use of elastic bands. TheWales patent however is not portable. The Wales patent also leaves opengaps in the table's surface while it is expanded, thus allowing for foodor articles on the table to be susceptible to falling through the gapsand onto the floor.

U.S. Pat. No. 659,624 issued to Myers on Oct. 9, 1900 and U.S. Pat. No.925,370 issued on Jun. 15, 1909, also to Myers, teaches an expandabletable with the use of a flexible material that maintains a continuoussurface by using a soft, felt material that can be rolled as the tableis expanded. The two Myers inventions, however, are not portable.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,054,098 issued on Sep. 15, 1936 to Rich and U.S. Pat.No. 3,652,051 issued on Mar. 28, 1972 to McFarlane teaches a portablelap table that may be folded for storage. While the Rich and McFarlanepatents are portable, they do not adjust and fit to different size usersand therefore are unstable and susceptible to being knocked over duringuse. Further, the Rich and McFarlane patents are designed specificallyas a platform for reading or writing, and are therefore limited in theuses that can be made of them outside of reading or writing.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,513,576 issued May 7, 1996 to Ward teaches an adjustablelap table made of rolled polyethylene. The table recoils against auser's legs to hold the table in place on the user's lap. However, sucha design has significant drawbacks. Because the entire tray is made of aflexible material and is designed to roll inwards when not in use aswell as during use, the substantially planar tray surface may not stayflat. Such a design also does not adequately secure the leg portion ofthe table to the user's legs because of this tendency of the entiretable to roll up.

U.S. design patent no. 318,960 issued on Aug. 13, 1991 to Lillydiscloses a portable foldable tray design. However, the Lilly inventiondoes not provide an expandable surface, nor does that invention providemeans for stabilizing or securing the device while in use.

What is needed, therefore, is an expandable tray that will secure to auser's lap and allow the user to perform various activities, such aseating, reading, drawing, or any activity that may require the use of ahorizontal surface. The present invention provides a unique solution tothis problem, is portable and can be folded and stored almost anywhere.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention asdisclosed below is merely illustrative and that there are otherembodiments that are not described herein that still fall within thescope and intent of the present invention. In particular, it will beobvious to one skilled in the art that, although the invention asdisclosed herein has a connecting portions incorporated along the edgesof the substantially planar surface of the expandable tray device, thepresent invention also encompasses placing the connecting portionsaround or within the substantially planar surface of the tray so as toaccomplish the same function. Further, the present invention alsopredicts other embodiments that may use locking mechanisms to hold thelegs of the tray device in an expanded position and may be released by alever to return the legs to their normal position after use.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is a tray that may be used as a platform insupport of various activities. Some of these activities may includeeating, drawing, reading, or anything that would necessitate a stablehorizontal support. The present invention is an expandable tray devicethat rests in a user's lap. The tray is held in position by one or moreleg portions that are hingedly attached whereby allowing the one or moreleg portions to rotate and extend outward from the expandable traydevice. Conversely, the rotating function enables the legs to be rotatedin the opposite direction towards the center of the expandable traydevice, folding flush and parallel with the horizontal surface wherebyminimizing the space required for storage and allowing for efficienttransport. The end portion of each of the legs has a curvature so as toallow the legs to gently rest against and underneath the user's legs andthighs.

The tray further incorporates one or more connecting portions within theplanar surface of the present invention, which attaches to the upperportion of each of the legs. The connecting portions will stretch orexpand laterally as the tray's legs move outwards to meet the dimensionsof the user's legs and thighs. The one or more connecting portions arepreferentially comprised of material that is generally elastic innature, such that the material resists lateral expansion and thereforehas a tendency to remain in its normal or un-stretched position. This,in turn, causes an equal and opposite force to be applied to the user'slegs while the device is positioned on a user's lap. In this manner theexpandable tray device will stay secured to the user while the tray isbeing used. The one or more connecting portions are preferentiallyincorporated into the present invention in such a manner as to provide acontinuous, unbroken planar surface whether the device is expanded ornot.

In a further embodiment, the one or more connecting portions comprise aplurality of laterally expandable ribs. The laterally expandable ribsare comprised of alternating generally elastic and rigid or semi-rigidmaterials whereby allowing the substantially planar tray surface tomaintain rigidity and strength while expanding. This configuration wouldalso allow the one or more leg portions to expand outwards as a user ofthe invention positions their legs and thighs under the substantiallyplanar surface, expanding as required to fit firmly to the user's lapdimensions.

The present invention comprises a curvature design along the frontportion of the substantially planar surface of the tray, providing spaceto accommodate the waist of the user. The curved end portion will restagainst the user's abdomen, which gives the user added comfort while atthe same time preventing food or articles from falling onto the user'slap.

The present invention also comprises a series of recesses that may beused to hold drinking glasses or cups, eating utensils, or otherarticles associated with the activity being performed on thesubstantially planar tray surface.

The present invention also provides means for retention of items to beused upon the working surface of the device, such as clips, hooks,fasteners, clasps, clamps, Velcro fasteners, magnetic means, or a seriesof bands.

The present invention also provides means of affixing the substantiallyplanar tray surface to furniture and mobile seating fixtures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 a-1 c show a top view, front view, and side view of anembodiment of the present invention with the legs extended for use.

FIGS. 2 a-2 b show a top view and front view, respectively, of anembodiment of the present invention in an expanded position.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of an embodiment of the present invention withthe legs folded.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1 a, 1 b and 1 c, the expandable tray devicecomprises a substantially planar surface 100 that functions as a supportand platform upon which the user may eat or perform activities andtasks. The substantially planar surface 100 comprises a central portion101, one or more edge portions 102, and one or more connecting portions104 which expandably connect the central portion 101 to the one or moreedge portions 102. The central portion 101 and the one or more edgeportions 102 are preferentially comprised of a rigid or semi-rigidmaterial so as to provide a substantially inflexible platform to supporta user's activities upon the substantially planar tray surface 100. Theone or more connecting portions 104 are positioned between and fixedlyconnected to the central portion 101 and the one or more edge portions102. The one or more connecting portions 104 preferentially comprisesolid material that is generally elastic in nature wherein the materialgenerally resists lateral expansion and therefore has a propensity toremain in the unexpanded position and, as the material is stretched, hasa propensity to return to the unexpanded position. As the one or moreedge portions 102 are moved laterally away from the central portion 101,the one or more connecting portions 104 expand while maintaining acontinuous substantially planar surface 100. The one or more connectingportions 104 are chosen from the group of materials such as rubber,springs, or any connecting portions that will allow the expandable traydevice to function as described herein, and the material of the one ormore connecting portions is preferentially comprised of a materialchosen from the group of materials such as rubber, wherein the materialcomprising the connecting portions 104, while expanded, maintains acontinuous substantially planar surface 100. It will be understood bythose skilled in the art that there are numerous materials and means forconstructing the one or more connecting portions 104 that are within thespirit and scope the of invention herein.

The substantially planar surface 100 may further include a curved endportion 105 wherein the curved end portion 105 curves inward away fromthe user in such a manner so as to accommodate a user's abdomen andallow the sides of the present device to partially extend along thesides of the user's torso. The substantially planar tray surface 100 mayfurther include one or more recesses 106 disposed within thesubstantially planar tray surface 100 wherein the said one or morerecesses 106 are configured in such a manner so as to accommodatevarious uses of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a preferredembodiment of the present invention wherein the one or more recesses 106are configured in such a manner as to retain cylindrical objects such astypical drinking glasses or cups.

The one or more edge portions 102 further comprise one or more pivotjoints 107 which connect the substantially planar tray surface 100 withone or more leg portions 103 wherein the one or more leg portions 103are hingedly connected to the corresponding one or more pivot joints107. FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the present invention wherein theone or more leg portions 103 comprise four separate hingedly connectedleg portions 103.

The one or more leg portions 103 may further comprise a inwardly-curvedend portion 108 distal to the one or more pivot joints 107 such that theone or more leg portions 103 can fit around and conform to a user's legswhile the tray device is in use. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, the inwardly-curved end portion 108 may further be comprisedof an external material providing a non-slipping contact with the user'slegs, wherein such material is chosen from a group comprising malleablematerials such as rubber and the like.

While in use, the one or more leg portions 103 are extended down andaway from the substantially planar surface 100. Outward force on thesubstantially planar surface 100 extends the one or more connectingportions 104 such that the one or more leg portions 103 may be placedagainst the outside of the user's legs, with the inwardly-curvedportions 108 positioned partially upon the outside of and curvingpartially underneath the lower portions of the user's legs. The tendencyof the connecting portions 104 to return to the unextended positionserves to pull the one or more leg portions 103 in toward the center ofthe device, providing a force against the user's legs in direct contactwith the one or more leg portions 103. In this manner, the tray devicemay be adjusted and fit to any size user as well as remain fixedly inposition while in use.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the expandable tray device is shown in anexpanded position. The one or more connecting portions 104 are shown ina stretched or expanded position, while the user's legs will bepositioned on the inside of the one or more leg portions 103, resistingthe inward pull of the generally expandable material utilized toconstruct the one or more connecting portions 104.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the present invention is shown in a foldedposition. The one or more leg portions 103 rotate along the one or morepivot joints 107 inward towards the center of the central portion 101whereby placing the one or more leg portions 103 flush and perpendicularto substantially planar surface 100 for efficient carrying, storage,mobility and the like.

The invention herein has been described in a manner that is illustrativeonly, and it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that there aremodifications and alterations to the present invention that will notdeviate from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed herein.

1-16. (canceled)
 17. An expandable tray device, the expandable traydevice comprising a substantially planar surface that comprises acentral portion, one or more edge portions, one or more connectingportions between and joining the central portion, the one or moreconnecting portions comprising a plurality of laterally expandable ribsthat are connectively joined whereby allowing the expandable tray deviceto stretch or expand laterally, one or more edge portions, and one ormore leg portions hingedly attached to the one or more connectingportions.
 18. The device of claim 17, wherein the central portion andthe one or more edge portions are constructed from material chosen froma group of rigid or semi-rigid materials.
 19. The device of claim 17,wherein the substantially planar surface further comprises one or morerecesses.
 20. The device of claim 17, wherein the plurality of laterallyexpandable ribs comprise alternating rib materials and the alternatingrib materials are chosen from the group consisting of rigid, semi-rigidand generally elastic.
 21. The device of claim 17, wherein the one ormore leg portions are further comprised of an inwardly-curved endportion whereby the inwardly-curved end portion adapts and rests againstthe legs of a user of the expandable tray device, and wherein the one ormore leg portions further comprise a non-slip material.
 22. The deviceof claim 17, wherein the plurality of laterally expandable ribs comprisealternating rib materials.
 23. The device of claim 22, wherein thealternating rib materials are chosen from the group consisting of rigid,semi-rigid and generally elastic.
 24. The device of claim 17, whereinthe one or more connecting portions is constructed of a generallyelastic material whereby allowing the expandable tray device to stretchor expand laterally.
 25. The device of claim 17, wherein thesubstantially planar surface further comprises a curved end portion onthe edge facing a user of the expandable tray device whereby allowingthe substantially planar surface to rest upon the user's abdomen duringthe use of the expandable tray device.
 26. The device of claim 17,wherein the substantially planar surface further comprises a means forretention of various items to be used upon the working surface of theexpandable tray device.